Douro Internacional e Vale do Águeda SPA and Arribes del Duero SPA form one of the main areas for Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Bonelli´s eagle (Aquila fasciata) and red kite (Milvus milvus) in the Iberian Peninsula. For the Egyptian vulture, the local population represents 10% of the total population of the peninsula. For Portugal, the area is the last stronghold of the Egyptian vulture and the red kite in the country.

The populations of all these birds of prey are declining nationally and in the wider EU. In the project area/SPAs these populations are still high, though breeding rates have declined and adult mortality rates increased as a result of poor habitat quality, disturbance and persecution.

Populations of Bonelli's eagle are stable in both SPAs with 13 breeding pairs since 2006, but the number of flying chicks fell from eight in 2006 to just four in 2013. As for the Egyptian vulture, the population in both SPAs decreased from 157 breeding pairs in 2006 to 116 in 2013, a 35% decline.

Objectives

The LIFE Rupis project aims to:

Strengthen the populations of Egyptian vulture and Bonelli’s eagle in Douro Internacional valley, through improved breeding success and reduction of mortality;

Improve the reproductive rate for both species (the target is at least one flying chick per active nest per year for both species);

Reduce nest disturbance for these species with the aim of eliminating persecution of all breeding pairs in the project area;

Increase food availability, particularly during breeding season;

Reduce adult mortality for both species;

Improve the habitat quality through better management of farming and grazing practices; and

Better knowledge and dissemination of best practices for wildlife conservation.

Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA) is a non-profit environmental NGO that is focused on the study and conservation of birds and their habitats in Portugal through the promotion of sustainable development. SPEA has been BirdLife International’s partner in Portugal since 1999. This cooperation reinforces SPEA’s conservation work and allows it to engage in international activities.